Optical reversible programmable Boolean logic unit

Abstract

Computing with reversibility is the only way to avoid dissipation of energy associated with bit erase. So, a reversible microprocessor is required for future computing. In this paper, a design of a simple all-optical reversible programmable processor is proposed using a polarizing beam splitter, liquid crystal-phase spatial light modulators, a half-wave plate, and plane mirrors. This circuit can perform 16 logical operations according to three programming inputs. Also, inputs can be easily recovered from the outputs. It is named the "reversible programmable Boolean logic unit (RPBLU)." The logic unit is the basic building block of many complex computational operations. Hence the design is important in sense. Two orthogonally polarized lights are defined here as two logical states, respectively.

Review on all-optical logic gates: design techniques and classifications – heading toward high-speed optical integrated circuits

“…112 An all-optical reversible programmable processor capable of performing 16 different operations was designed using liquid crystal-phase spatial light modulators, a polarization beam splitter, a half-wave plate, and plane mirrors. 113 SOA-assisted Sagnac interferometer-based design for the equalizer SWAP gate with improved performance in terms of reduced optical cost, low crosstalk, and high CR. 114 A simple design for all-optical Fredkin gate using mechanically controllable mirrors with feasibility for chip level implementation using MEMS was proposed.…”